Tuesday, December 05 2006
By Jennifer Jordan
'Tis the season for a stogie, fa la la la la, la la la la...
For the past few holiday seasons, I've found it's getting harder and harder to give gifts. Not only has creativity fallen through the cracks, but presents are not as monetarily feasible as they once were: there are televisions for sale that cost more than my car. Because of this, holiday shopping has become an increasing burden, for me and many others. As we find ourselves trapped somewhere between the shopping mall and memories of holidays of yore whose true meaning wasn't on a display stand at Macy's, we think about how it used to be.
There was a time when the holidays were about more than purchasing the latest technological brand or the most expensive cashmere sweater. It used to be so easy. A tie, a purse, even soap-on-a-rope were all suitable gifts. Back then, it was the thought that counted. But lately, these gifts have become less acceptable. Even the hand-made card I give my parents each year is being met with less and less enthusiasm, no matter how much glitter I add.
Still, we haven't lost this battle yet. With the onset of the season we are given the opportunity to reinvent the true spirit of the holidays. We have the ability to give a gift that says something more than "I have a huge limit on my credit card." One way we can do this is by giving the gift of cigars.
Why Give Cigars as a Gift?
Cigars may not seem like a run-of-the-mill holiday gift but, in this age of overblown commercialism, this should work in their favor. Unlike brand name hand bags or a clothing line overseen by a professional rapper, cigars represent what the holidays are really all about: friendship, celebration, and happiness.
Giving a cigar as a gift conveys that some actual thought went into the gifting process along with your paycheque. Cigars, which possess a loaded meaning, are often exchanged in the same manner friends exchange a knowing glance or a comforting pat on the shoulder. They are intimate and caring.
What Kinds of Cigars to Give?
The type of cigar to buy depends on who it's for. For a cigar novice, samplers make excellent gifts, as it gives them an opportunity of finding one he or she truly enjoys. If not, a box of mild cigars - such as the Macanudo from the Dominican Republic or the Casa Toraño from Honduras - usually works best for beginners. For the cigar connoisseur, purchasing a box of their favorite brand or a brand you know they are dying to try is the way to go.
For novices and connoisseurs alike, a membership with a cigar of the month club will almost always be met with enthusiasm. It's the gift that never gets snuffed out - at least not while the membership lasts.
What are Some Unique Cigar Gifts?
You may find that some of your cigar-lovers are already stocked with more tobacco reserves than Cuba. For these people, a more unique cigar gift may need to be in order.
Any kind of a cigar accessory makes an excellent holiday gift. Think about a custom made cigar box, an ashtray engraved with a sentimental message, an inscribed cigar cutter or a leather cigar case. Perhaps you know someone who could use a humidor or a person who is desperately in need of a Colibri before he's forced to beg one more person for a light.
For maximum sentiment, try purchasing a cigar-lover's favorite brands and having the band engraved for them. This gives you with the rare opportunity to give a gift that can be both used and cherished.
Where to Buy Them?
The holidays are a time of mayhem. People crowd shopping malls and department stores while dial up Internet users surfing the Web to look for gift ideas have to wait an hour for each page to load. However, a great amount of trouble can be avoided if you know what you are buying before-hand. Get in, get out, and get home in time to take the turkey out of the oven.
Cigar gifts are some of the easiest to buy. Many local cigar and tobacco shops have a large variety of cigars and accessories. The Internet, besides letting you avoid lines and crowds, also provides the opportunity to purchase any tobacco related item under the sun. Many of these online shops offer discounts and free shipping.
Giving the gift of cigars or cigar accessories rarely goes up in smoke. Getting away from new ideas of holiday gifts - designer jeans, video games, car stereos - evokes some old holiday spirit. It does this by evoking traditions like goodwill, friendship, bliss, and, of course, tobacco seeds. œ
Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor at savoreachglass.com and whatsknottolove. With a vast knowledge of wine etiquette and cigars, she writes articles on everything from how to hold a glass of wine to how to hold your hair back after too many glasses, from how to hold a cigar, to how to know what types to try. Ultimately, she writes her articles with the intention that readers will remember wine and cigars are fun and anything fun should always be savored.
Reprinted by permission of the author.
